Martinez retains title against Murray

Photos: DBE/Sumio Yamada

In a driving rainstorm, defending WBC middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (51-2-2, 28 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over previously undefeated WBA interim champion Martin Murray (25-1-1, 11 KOs) on Saturday night in front of an estimated 50,000 fans at the Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Martinez controlled the early rounds as Murray was very defensive. Murray started picking it up in round four. MArtinez was cut over the left eye in round six. Murray dropped Martinez in round eight with a right hand, but he didn’t seem hurt. Open scoring after round eight had Martinez ahead 77-74, 76-75, 76-75. Good round for Martinez in round nine. Murray landed a big right in round ten. Martinez outboxed him over the finsl two rounds to prevail 115-112 on all three cards.

After the fight, Martinez stated, “We have to work to get better. But superstars are like that, we always get better against any odds.”